Taxonomy, biodiversity and biogeography of the brittle stars (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) of South Africa

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dc.contributor.advisorGriffiths, Charles Len_ZA
dc.contributor.advisorSamyn, Yvesen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorOlbers, Jennifer Men_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2017-01-23T07:53:33Z
dc.date.available2017-01-23T07:53:33Z
dc.date.issued2016en_ZA
dc.description.abstractThe South African Ophiuroidea were last reviewed by Clark and Courtman-Stock in 1976. In the current investigation, the systematics of the group is thus revised in its entirety for the first time in 40 years. The data used originated from a number of sources. Existing data were sourced from i) published literature, ii) large expeditions or survey data, iii) South African institutional collections and iv) international museums. The majority of new records and data were sourced from previously unidentified specimens deposited in the collections of various South African and international museums and/or institutions, as well as from photographic records and some new, project-specific collecting. A review is presented of the history of ophiuroid taxonomy in South Africa highlighting the progression of research and of species discovery in the region since 1783. All new records of Ophiuroidea from South Africa since (and including) 1977 are documented, with each species account detailing key references, distribution, ecology and additional remarks. As a result, an additional 28 species are added to the known fauna of the mainland Exclusive Economic Zone of continental South Africa, raising the total known number of ophiuroid species in the region to 136. The genus Ophiocoma Agassiz (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea: Ophiurida: Ophiocomidae) is reviewed and the number of species in South Africa increased from four to eight. All species are briefly discussed in terms of taxonomy, geographic distribution and ecology. Furthermore, the juveniles of O. brevipes, which were found on the ventral side of some adult Ophiocoma brevipes specimens, are described in detail. The distribution of the type material of O. scolopendrina has led to some confusion, and it is considered appropriate to establish a neotype from the original type locality (Mauritius).en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationOlbers, J. M. (2016). <i>Taxonomy, biodiversity and biogeography of the brittle stars (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) of South Africa</i>. (Thesis). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Biological Sciences. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/22906en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationOlbers, Jennifer M. <i>"Taxonomy, biodiversity and biogeography of the brittle stars (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) of South Africa."</i> Thesis., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Biological Sciences, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/22906en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationOlbers, J. 2016. Taxonomy, biodiversity and biogeography of the brittle stars (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) of South Africa. University of Cape Town.en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Olbers, Jennifer M AB - The South African Ophiuroidea were last reviewed by Clark and Courtman-Stock in 1976. In the current investigation, the systematics of the group is thus revised in its entirety for the first time in 40 years. The data used originated from a number of sources. Existing data were sourced from i) published literature, ii) large expeditions or survey data, iii) South African institutional collections and iv) international museums. The majority of new records and data were sourced from previously unidentified specimens deposited in the collections of various South African and international museums and/or institutions, as well as from photographic records and some new, project-specific collecting. A review is presented of the history of ophiuroid taxonomy in South Africa highlighting the progression of research and of species discovery in the region since 1783. All new records of Ophiuroidea from South Africa since (and including) 1977 are documented, with each species account detailing key references, distribution, ecology and additional remarks. As a result, an additional 28 species are added to the known fauna of the mainland Exclusive Economic Zone of continental South Africa, raising the total known number of ophiuroid species in the region to 136. The genus Ophiocoma Agassiz (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea: Ophiurida: Ophiocomidae) is reviewed and the number of species in South Africa increased from four to eight. All species are briefly discussed in terms of taxonomy, geographic distribution and ecology. Furthermore, the juveniles of O. brevipes, which were found on the ventral side of some adult Ophiocoma brevipes specimens, are described in detail. The distribution of the type material of O. scolopendrina has led to some confusion, and it is considered appropriate to establish a neotype from the original type locality (Mauritius). DA - 2016 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2016 T1 - Taxonomy, biodiversity and biogeography of the brittle stars (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) of South Africa TI - Taxonomy, biodiversity and biogeography of the brittle stars (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) of South Africa UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/22906 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/22906
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationOlbers JM. Taxonomy, biodiversity and biogeography of the brittle stars (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) of South Africa. [Thesis]. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Biological Sciences, 2016 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/22906en_ZA
dc.language.isoengen_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Biological Sciencesen_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Scienceen_ZA
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subject.otherBiological Sciencesen_ZA
dc.titleTaxonomy, biodiversity and biogeography of the brittle stars (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) of South Africaen_ZA
dc.typeDoctoral Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelDoctoral
dc.type.qualificationnamePhDen_ZA
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceThesisen_ZA
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